Augusta, GA

Augusta University nursing graduate looks to encourage others into the field

Published

2 years ago

May 10, 2024

Press Room

Augusta University nursing graduate looks to encourage others into the field

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A nursing shortage is hitting everywhere across the United States.

By 2035, Georgia is expected to have a 21% shortage of registered nurses.

Right now, only 10% of registered nurses identify as Black, and 9% of the total nursing population identify as male.

Now, one Augusta University graduate is looking to become a role model to get more Black males into the field.

“I’m here to be the light to other guys looking to go into the healthcare system because I noticed not a lot of us going into the nursing but I want to be inspiring to other males that look like me,” said Luke Anderson.

Anderson was the student speaker for the AU’s afternoon commencement ceremony, sharing how he couldn’t have been here today without the support of his two parents.

His mom says she is grateful to see her son graduate.

“My heart is so full of joy,” said Daphanie Harper, Anderson’s mom.

She battled breast cancer twice.

“(The doctor said) Daphanie you can beat it or you can die, and I chose to live. So I’m standing here,” said Harper.

Through her treatment and battle, Anderson says one thing that stuck out to him was how caring the nurses were and how they were able to remain positive while saving his mom’s life. He says seeing that is what started his journey to have a cap and gown.

“Being a blessing to somebody else because you never know what somebody else is going through,” said Anderson. “So, having the capacity to do that for other people that are in need is just truly heartwarming to know because, at the end of the day, nursing is we’re here to serve and be the light to other people.”

Anderson will begin his nursing career working in the emergency ICU at the Piedmont Hospital System.

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Augusta, GA

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

Published

10 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

From Augusta roots to Nighthawks leader: Nolan Belcher comes home

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University baseball is in a three-game series matchup against the University of North Georgia.

AU is currently down in the series 0-2 after a close loss Friday and a loss Saturday.

But we aren’t focusing on the Jags, we’re going to take a look at North Georgia’s head coach, Nolan Belcher.

He is an Augusta native who began his career at Greenbrier and Augusta Christian.

He won three state championships, which then led him to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

There he won back-to-back national championships and finished runner up in 2012.

His coaching career began after that where he eventually joined the Peach belt Confrence, coaching at USCA and GCSU.

Now in his first season as head coach for the Nighthawks, he is happy to come home and coach in front of his friends and family.

“I’m very fortunate that I got family that, one is still around and they can come watch me do what I love. And, they’ve shown me, nothing but support throughout my whole coaching career and even back on my playing dates are very thankful and appreciative for everything they’ve done for me.”

AU and UNG will have their final series match on Sunday.

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